Security Architect – Defence & National Security Programmes
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Hybrid Working
Must be willing to re-locate to Abu Dhabi for significant periods of time
Permanent role - Salary/Benefits Negotiable
We are seeking a proven Security Architect to support the design and delivery of integrated defence and national-security capabilities. The successful candidate will operate within a mission-critical environment, developing security architectures that enable resilience, information assurance, and operational superiority in the face of evolving threats.
This position is ideal for an individual with a defence, military, or national-security background who can combine strategic vision with deep technical expertise to ensure that systems, platforms, and networks remain secure, interoperable, and mission-ready.
Role Overview:
The Security Architect will be responsible for the end-to-end design, governance, and integration of security architectures across complex defence systems. This includes classified environments, C4ISR networks, command-and-control systems, and mission-critical operational technology. The role demands an understanding of both conventional and asymmetric threat environments and the ability to develop solutions aligned with defence doctrine, mission assurance, and sovereign-capability objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the design of secure architectures for defence systems, networks, and platforms supporting operational and national-security objectives.
- Develop comprehensive security frameworks and reference architectures aligned with military and government standards.
- Conduct threat and vulnerability assessments against sophisticated adversary TTPs, ensuring architectures are threat-informed and resilient.
- Define security requirements for C4ISR systems, secure communications, mission networks, and integrated command-and-control environments.
- Govern and assure architecture implementation across programmes, ensuring technical coherence and compliance with defence policy and standards.
- Provide expert guidance to engineering, intelligence, and operational teams on secure design, data classification, and mission assurance principles.
- Support the accreditation and certification of systems operating in classified domains.
- Mentor and develop engineering teams, embedding a security-by-design culture across projects.
- Maintain situational awareness of emerging technologies, threat trends, and defence-sector innovations (AI, autonomous systems, EW, cyber operations).
Required Background and Competencies:
- Minimum 10 years’ experience in security architecture or systems engineering within a defence, intelligence, or national-security environment.
- Strong understanding of defence networks, operational systems, mission systems, and command architectures.
- Proven experience delivering architecture solutions for secure, classified, or mission-critical systems.
- Familiarity with defence and government frameworks (e.g., NIST RMF, ISO 27001, SABSA, TOGAF) and security accreditation processes.
- Deep understanding of threat-based design, red/blue teaming insights, and adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
- Experience working with or supporting military, intelligence, or homeland-security operations.
- Excellent stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to brief senior officers and programme leaders on security posture and risk.
- Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Systems Engineering, Information Assurance, or a related discipline (advanced degree preferred).
- Eligible for or currently holding a security clearance suitable for access to classified information.
Highly Desirable:
- Prior military service or direct support to defence operations or defence-industry programmes.
- Experience with joint operations, mission networks, or multinational defence integration.
- Knowledge of electronic warfare, space systems, and cyber-enabled defence operations.
- Relevant professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, SABSA Chartered, TOGAF, or equivalent.
What’s on Offer:
- A key role within a high-impact national-security and defence-modernisation programme.
- Opportunity to shape next-generation defence architectures supporting sovereign capability and mission readiness.
- Engagement with advanced technologies, operational environments, and classified missions.
- Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience and clearance level.
